Raiders Will Have to Keep Pace with Chiefs on the Road

The Las Vegas Raiders raced to an early the last time they played Kansas City, but were unable to maintain it. The Silver and Black must sustain drives better this time around.

In their last game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Las Vegas Raiders converted on half of their third downs, but converted only one of three red zone opportunities. 

Las Vegas failed to score a touchdown after going ahead, 14-0, early in the game and score only three more points in a 31-17 defeat at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. 

On the other end, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs would go on a 31-3 run while the Raiders struggled to sustain drives and score points. 

"And once we get into the red zone, converting those and not settling for field goals is important," Interim Coach Anthony Pierce said. "Against this team, you can kick as many field goals as you want, but you have to know Patrick Mahomes is going to get multiple touchdowns. It doesn't matter who he goes to."

Las Vegas has surrendered leads to the Chiefs the last three times the teams have played. 

Offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said the Raiders have to do a better job of finishing against Kansas City on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium. 

"The first, second, and third plays of the drive are easy," Eluemunor said. "Its really the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th [plays]. Those are the types of plays that are truly going to show what type of team you are and show the rest of the league and the rest of the country what type of player you are. I believe we can do a better job of that, finishing the drives."

The veteran offensive lineman says Las Vegas' offensive line will shoulder the burden of getting the offense going.

"The O-line blocking as hard as we can, knowing we might have to block for a little bit longer if [quarterback] Aidan [O'Connell] is waiting on his turn-guy to get open," Eluemunor said. "Or, in the run game, making sure we finish guys.

"We'll probably be tired, but you have to work even harder when you're tired. That's when people really get to see what type of player you are."

The Raiders and the Chiefs know each other well. One thing is sure for Las Vegas: they will need to score as many points as possible to beat the Chiefs on the road. 

"It's always going to be a shootout against the Chiefs," Eluemunor said. "They have a hell of a team, a hell of a play-caller, and a hell of a player at quarterback. We've got to sustain drives, be consistent in the red zone, and convert as much as we can."

Las Vegas knows the challenges of playing the Chiefs, especially in Kansas City. The Raiders beating the Chiefs for only the third time in 13 tries would speak volumes about the direction of their team. 

The Silver and Black will return to action versus their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Don't miss it on Monday, December 25, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.

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